cumbria

Earlier this year when the sun was shining Emma and Aaran married at the beautiful church of Great Salkeld before heading off to the reception at Roundthorn Country House, Penrith. Those pesky kids up to their old Cumbrian traditions, tying up the church gates 🙂

Back up to the Inn on the Lake for the wedding of Leonie and Paul. Managed to stay dry but oh my, it was a bit windy for the outside ceremony – flower girls basket of petals didn’t make half way down the aisle before they were blown away almost along with the flower girl, but it all ended happily. Another day with photographer Jason Chambers.

A couple of years ago a new venue arrived on the scene and has become a very popular choice for many couples. The Villa, Levens was refurbished from the old Bretarrgh Holt nunnery by the same company who run the Villa at Wrea Green, Lancashire.. Katie and Chris managed to choose one of those really frosty clear days in December for their big day. Photogrpahy by Ladybird Photography

I’ve only ever filmed at Leeming House a couple of times over the years. It’s a beautiful venue set in extensive grounds overlooking Ullswater lake and the fells beyond. Another sun filled day – it never rains in the Lake District 🙂 A day of relaxing on the terrace with a glass of something nice and an icecream and an evening of pizza ovens, live music and fireworks. Photography by Tiree Dawson

I really like the Cragwood, it’s one of the smaller venues in the Lake District and has a very relaxed atmosphere about it. Rebecca and Ben’s wedding was on a gorgeous August day just after I’d returned from my summer break – couldn’t have walked into a better days work to get back into the swing of it all. Photography by James Tracy and the evening taken care of by DJ Stu Rogers who’s own wedding I filmed a few years back.

One of those watching out of the window days – would it rain, would it hold dry? Lots of excited bridesmaids for the preps and the groom and groomsmen downstairs making sure everything was in place for later in the day. I’d been at the rehearsal the night before and Ellen’s dad had come up to say hello – bit of a shock when he told me we were in the same class at school! The rain held off until Ben and Ellen walked back out of church at the end of the ceremony then it was back to the Merewood Country House for the reception and evening entertainment.

There are days when it rains and then there are days when it really rains, and blows and just doesn’t know when to stop. Aimee and Nick’s wedding was a bit like that, in fact, Aimee and Nick’s wedding was a lot like that. The Inn on the Lake is probably the venue I film at the most in any one season and for good reason, it’s a fabulous setting right by Ullswater with views to the mountains. There’s nothing you can do about bad weather but my advice is just make the very most of it no matter what, get out there and just go for it – and that’s exactly what Aimee and Nick did. Photography by Jason Chambers

A couple of years ago I filmed Sarah and Phil’s wedding at New House Barn in the Lakes and it was Sarah who was to be Kara’s bridesmaid at Armathwaite Hall.

I don’t want to make it sound as if the rain follows me around like a best friend but this was another of those days when it just poured for most of the time. Again, I have to say that Kara and Adam did exactly what you’re meant to do – just say ‘that’s how it goes’ and get on with it. Brollies at the ready it was out in the raindrops with Camilla Lucinda Photography for a great, if slightly damp photoshoot.
Lots of extra guests for the evening dance with DJ Dancing in the Dark and live music with the excellent Highly Strung

Sarah had given me fair warning about just how nervous a groom Andy was likely to be so the microphone was hidden away in the table flowers and not in his jacket! He was fine once the ceremony was over and he could relax.

Great night time dance with local band ‘Absolutely’ – I seem to think Andy’s nerves had disappeared altogether by then.